Typewriters

Like vacuum cleaners, I'll say I'm not a collector.

But yeah, basically, I have four now. Three of them I've had since I was little and got them at garage sales (back when garage sales still had cool stuff). I have a Royal, 1950s or 60s, in beautiful condition with carry case. Works great, though I almost never actually type anything on any typewriter.

Then I got a cheapie Montgomery Wards portable from I think the 70s. I forget the actual brand, something foreign, perhaps Brother. It was missing a Shift key. I got my machinist friend to help me make a new one out of delrin. It had some slight issues, but nothing serious, it's working smooth now.

Those two have pony stickers on them because of reasons, so they're not pictured lol. Plus I'd have to dig them out.

My oldest one is probably from the 1920s or earlier, a beautiful Underwood that's cast iron and heavy enough to break the floor if it falls off the table. It's not really usable, sadly due to its age. The rubber roller is cracked, and I'm sure it needs a good oiling.

Some months ago, I 'liberated' an electric Smith-Corona from a junk man's truck (a customer). It had clearly been outdoors for a while, in other words it's a rustbucket. I foolishly thought I would fix it up. Of course I *can* but I never stopped to think if I *should*. I have already freed all stuck moving parts, replaced some rusty springs (when the spring wire is hair-thin, and it rusts, there's no spring left), replaced belts (part of the reason I picked up this unit was because it had its belts still... unfortunately one broke later), and sourced an ink ribbon cartridge for it. It was a big task, but I have it working very well now. It still needs some exercise though. Maybe I'll write some more fanfiction lol. I'm still undecided if I want to repaint it or not. It's been so much work, I kinda don't feel like it. In the mean time, it's naked.

Incidentally, if anyone needs toothed belts for a Smith-Corona, let me know.

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size


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Post# 434945 11/13/2020 at 13:45 (1,252 days old) by Kirboover (Watertown, South Dakota)
Checkrate/Likes Does anyone else collect typewriters? I have a collection of about 6

Post# 434964 , Reply# 1 11/13/2020 at 20:01 (1,252 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes I used to collect random ones I'd find as a kid. I had a few manual Smith Coronas. I also had a few of the 90s Smith Corona electronics with the daisy wheel where you could change the fonts. I typed a few papers on those in school. One I had also beeped if you spelled a word wrong, plus they could erase a word or entire line at the touch of a key.

Post# 434968 , Reply# 2 11/13/2020 at 20:54 (1,252 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)
Checkrate/Likes I've got Brother AX-20 electronic typewriter that my grandfather gave me after I graduated from college. I don't remember the last time I actually used it. After I got a computer in 1991, it got relegated to filling out the occasional form or job application and making labels for VHS and cassette tapes. Every now and then, I'll see a vintage IBM Selectric at Goodwill for next to nothing and for some perverse reason, I'm nearly always tempted to buy it but I always stop myself because I really have no place to put such thing and I can't imagine what possible use I would have for one, especially considering how much I don't use the typewriter I have. Better just to leave it behind for someone else. Surprisingly, they seldom sit on the shelf for long.

Post# 434970 , Reply# 3 11/13/2020 at 21:32 (1,252 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)
Checkrate/Likes Like vacuum cleaners, I'll say I'm not a collector. But yeah, basically, I have four now. Three of them I've had since I was little and got them at garage sales (back when garage sales still had cool stuff). I have a Royal, 1950s or 60s, in beautiful condition with carry case. Works great, though I almost never actually type anything on any typewriter. Then I got a cheapie Montgomery Wards portable from I think the 70s. I forget the actual brand, something foreign, perhaps Brother. It was missing a Shift key. I got my machinist friend to help me make a new one out of delrin. It had some slight issues, but nothing serious, it's working smooth now. Those two have pony stickers on them because of reasons, so they're not pictured lol. Plus I'd have to dig them out. My oldest one is probably from the 1920s or earlier, a beautiful Underwood that's cast iron and heavy enough to break the floor if it falls off the table. It's not really usable, sadly due to its age. The rubber roller is cracked, and I'm sure it needs a good oiling. Some months ago, I 'liberated' an electric Smith-Corona from a junk man's truck (a customer). It had clearly been outdoors for a while, in other words it's a rustbucket. I foolishly thought I would fix it up. Of course I can but I never stopped to think if I should. I have already freed all stuck moving parts, replaced some rusty springs (when the spring wire is hair-thin, and it rusts, there's no spring left), replaced belts (part of the reason I picked up this unit was because it had its belts still... unfortunately one broke later), and sourced an ink ribbon cartridge for it. It was a big task, but I have it working very well now. It still needs some exercise though. Maybe I'll write some more fanfiction lol. I'm still undecided if I want to repaint it or not. It's been so much work, I kinda don't feel like it. In the mean time, it's naked. Incidentally, if anyone needs toothed belts for a Smith-Corona, let me know. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 434992 , Reply# 4 11/14/2020 at 07:33 (1,251 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes I've seen a few of those IBM Selectric show up in thrift stores and they do seem to sell. I remember my grandmother had a Smith Corona electric that was very sleek looking. It was rounded with curved space bar and had a black and white plastic housing. Reminded me of the Space Odyssey or some techy 70s movie. It was probably from the 70s I'd guess. I borrowed it once as a kid to do a project in elementary school, since we didn't have a computer at the time.

Post# 435158 , Reply# 5 11/17/2020 at 16:07 (1,248 days old) by kirboover (Watertown, South Dakota)
Checkrate/Likes *Here are a few of mine* Smith Corona Manual 12" and Deville 80 Electric Daisy wheel. Royal Electress Electric. Underwood 21. Then all with covers off.

Post# 435159 , Reply# 6 11/17/2020 at 16:09 (1,248 days old) by Kirboover (Watertown, South Dakota)
Checkrate/Likes Photos... < > Photo 1 of 8 View Full Size